Balance spring construction for window sash



June 16, 1959 H. K. LUNDGREN 2,390,502

BALANCE spams consmucnou FOR wmoow SASH Filed Sept. 26, 1957 INVENTOR.

5 5 MMJMQJM United States Patent BALANCE SPRING CONSTRUCTION FOR WINDOW SASH Herbert K. Lundgren, Oshkosh, Wis.

Application September 26, 1957, Serial No. 686,498

'Claims. (Cl. 20-52) This invention relates generally to an improved window sash construction and is particularly directed to a novel arrangement for counter-balance springs for double hung window sashes.

The main object of this invention is to provide an improved means for attaching a counter-balancing spring in position between a window sash and its frame structure, which means affords retention of the counterbalancing spring in position with respect to the sash at all times. By means of this invention, the tension of the counter-balancing spring'is utilized to retain the position of the spring with respect to the sash, so that when the sash is being inserted in the frame or being removed therefrom, the spring and the sash are handled as a single unit. The invention also renders the top of the spring accessible at all times at a position on the top of the window sash, as it prevents the top of the spring from being drawn down into the spring-receiving recess formed at the edge of the sash. Further objects and advantages of this invention will be understood by reference to the following specification and accompanying drawings, wherein a selected embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view on a horizontal plane through one side of a double hung window embodying the present invention, the plane of the section being approximately represented by the line 11 in Figure 2;

Figure 2 is a vertical cross section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, with parts broken away; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the attaching clip seen in Figures 1 and 2.

In the drawing, inner and outer sashes 1 and 2, respectively, have edge portions vertically slidably mounted in a metal and guideway and Weatherstrip 12 aflixed to the side member 3 of a window frame. The sashes 1 and 2 are provided with recesses or channels 4 and 5, respectively, longitudinally extending along their side edges and intermediate the inner and outer faces of the sashes in position for receiving counter-balancing springs, such as the coil springs indicated at 6 and 7. These springs are suitably anchored at the bottom of the recesses by means such as the hook 13, although other means and positions of attachment for the lower ends of the springs may be employed.

The upper ends of the counter-balancing springs are provided with means in the form of generally elongated clips 9 for attaching the springs to the window frame structure.

Each of the clips 9 is pivotally attached at its midportion to the upper end of one of the counter-balancing springs in some suitable manner, as by means of a wire link 8 shown particularly in Figure 3. One end of the clip 9 preferably includes an integrally formed hook portion 10 which is adapted for engagement with an eyelet 11 provided in the metal guideway 12, although other means of attaching the clip to the upper portion of the window frame may also be used. With the described attaching clip, it will be seen that when the hook 10 is disengaged from the eyelet 11, the clip 9 is positionable in overlying engagement with the upper edges of the spring-receiving recesses in the window sashes, as shown 1n the drawings. Consequently, the upper end of the spring is prevented from being drawn into the recess and the sash and spring may then be removed from the frame as a unit. Similarly, when the sash is being installed in the frame, the attaching clip 9 is positionable on the top of the sash and readily available for attachment to the window frame.

In the illustrated embodiment the attaching clip 9 is constructed of sheet metal and is arcuate in cross section. The hook portion 10 is formed integrally with the clip, and the length of the clip 9 is somewhat greater than the maximum width of the recesses 4 and 5 in the window sash which receive the counter-balancing springs 6 and 7. While the illustrated clip is shown as being longer than the transverse width or thickness of the sash, this clip also might be made of a somewhat shorter length in order to permit the clip to lie entirely between the opposite faces of the window sash when disposed at the top edge of the sash. Further, it will be apparent that the attach-v ing clip can be made of other material and assume other forms without departing from the principles of this invention.

The width of this clip 9 is preferably less than the distance between opposite faces of each of the recesses 4 and 5, so that when the hook 10 is engaged with the eyelet 11, the attaching clip will fit freely into the recess and thereby permit raising of the sash to its uppermost position in the frame. In the latter position, the recess may totally enclose the clip 9.

It is seen, therefore, that there is provided herein a counter-balancing spring structure for a window sash or the like, which includes a novel form of attaching means for connecting the upper end of the spring with the window frame, and such novel attaching means affords definite advantages, including those mentioned herein. Although shown and described with respect to particular structure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other modifications might 'be made without departing from the principles of this invention.

I claim:

1. In combination with a window comprising a frame and a sash vertically slidably mounted in said frame, said sash having at least one side edge including a longitudinal recess extending to the top of said sash, and a counter-balancing spring disposed in said recess and having its lower end portion secured to said sash, an element pivotally attached at a point intermediate the ends thereof to the top of the counter-balancing spring, said element being of length suflicient to laterally overlie the edges defining the top opening of said recess, said element including at one end means affording attachment of said element to an upper portion of said frame.

2. In combination with a window comprising a frame and a sash vertically slidably mounted in said frame, said sash having at least one side edge including a longitudinal recess extending to the top of said sash, and a counter-balancing spring disposed in said recess and having its lower end portion secured to said sash, an element pivotally attached at a point intermediate the ends thereof to the top of said counter-balancing spring, said element being of a length sufficient to laterally overlie the edges defining the top opening of said recess and of a Width such that said element may be received into said recess when said element is axially disposed with respect to said counter-balancing spring, said element including at one end means affording attachment of said element to an upper portion of said frame.

3. In combination with a window comprising a frame and a sash vertically slidably mounted in said frame, said sash'having at least one side edge including a longitudinal recess extending to the top of said sash, and a counter-balancing spring disposed in said recess and having its lower end portion secured to said sash, an elongated arcuate element pivotally attached at a point inteririediate the ends thereof to the top of the counter-balancing spring, said element being of a length sufiicient to laterally overlie the edges defining the top opening of said recess and of a width such that said element may be received into said recess when said element is axially disposed with respect to said counter-balancing spring, said element including at one end a hook, and an eye mounted upon an adjoining side member of said frame in position for engagement by said hook. V

4. In combination with a window comprising a frame and a sash vertically slidably mounted in said frame, said sash having a side member including a longitudinally extending channel-shaped recess, and a counter-balancing spring disposed in said channel-shaped recess and having its lower end port-ion secured to said sash, an elongated element pivotally attached at a point intermediate the ends thereof to the top of the counter-balancing spring, said element being of a length sufiicient to laterally overlie a pair of opposite edges of said channel-shaped recess and of a width such that said element may be received into said channel-shaped recess when said element is axially disposed with respect to said counter-balancing spring, said element including at one end means affording attachment of said element to an upper portion of said frame.

5. In combination with a housing, a tension spring received in said housing and having its lower end secured in fixed relation to said housing, an elongated element pivotally attached at a point intermediate the ends thereof to the upper end of said tension spring, said element being of a length sufiicient to laterally overlie the edges defining the top opening of said housing and of a width such that said element may be received in said housing when axially disposed with respect to said tension spring, said element also including at one end means affording connection with a fixed support outside of said housing, and said tension spring being constructed and disposed with respect to said element so that when said tension spring is in its fully contracted position and said element is axially disposed with respect to said spring said element is at least partially disposed within said housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

